A year after crash of an iconic Lisbon streetcar, a memorial but no promises for restored service

On the first anniversary of the derailing and crashing of Lisbon's Glória funicular, a streetcar that had been an iconic tourist attraction, the city marked the occasion by unveiling a memorial. The tragedy claimed the lives of 16 people, including 11 foreigners who were likely tourists eager to ride the unique funicular that traveled up and down a steep hill along with another car. The accident, one of Lisbon's most devastating in recent memory, cast a dark shadow over the city's burgeoning tourism industry.

To honor the victims, a memorial was erected near the crash site. The centerpiece of the memorial was a 150-year-old olive tree, standing at the center of a ring of limestone blocks. These blocks bore the names of the deceased and were laid into the ground as part of the memorial. Foreign ambassadors and the Patriarch of Lisbon, a senior Catholic church figure, joined in laying wreaths and offering a blessing.

Despite the solemn ceremony, the city's iconic streetcars remain inoperable. Authorities have yet to promise a restored service on the beloved funicular, leaving lingering doubts about the safety of the city's hillside streetcars.